Everything you need to know about selling used items on Amazon
Selling on Amazon isn’t just about new products - there is an ever-expanding market for used items on the platform.
But not everything is eligible to be sold as used on Amazon, and there are strict guidelines on condition that you must follow, to avoid risking suspension. Thompson and Holt managing partner Craig Gedey has direct experience of selling used items on Amazon and goes through the key information you need before you make the move yourself.
What used goods can I sell on Amazon?
“Amazon has a clear table showing exactly what it expects from each category of product in terms of conditions allowed,” Gedey explained. “Certain items - take baby and beauty as examples - can only be sold as new. But there is plenty of scope elsewhere.”
Product Category Conditions Allowed
Amazon Device Accessories New, Certified refurbished, Used
Amazon Kindle Used
Automotive & Powersports New, Certified refurbished, Used, Collectible
Baby Products (excluding apparel) New
Beauty New
Books New, Used, Collectible
Camera & Photo New, Certified refurbished, Used
Clothing New
Cell Phones & Accessories New, Used, Certified refurbished; Unlocked
Collectible Coins Collectible-Like New
Consumer Electronics New, Certified refurbished, Used
Entertainment Collectibles Collectible-Like New
Fine Art New (inc primary/secondary sale artworks)
Grocery & Gourmet Food New
Health & Personal Care New
Home & Garden New, Certified refurbished, Used, Collectible
Independent Design New
Industrial & Scientific New, Certified refurbished, Used
Jewelry New
Kindle and Amazon Fire TV Accessories New, Certified refurbished, Used
Major Appliances New, Used, Certified refurbished
Music New, Used, Collectible
Musical Instruments New, Certified refurbished, Used, Collectible
Office Products New, Certified refurbished, Used, Collectible
Outdoors New, Certified refurbished, Used
Personal Computers New, Certified refurbished, Used
Pet Supplies New, Certified refurbished, Used
Shoes & Handbags New
Software New, Used
Sports New, Certified refurbished, Used
Sports Collectibles Collectible-like new
Tools & Home Improvement New, Certified refurbished, Used
Toys & Games New, Collectible
Video, DVD & Blu-ray New, Used, Collectible
What do the condition guidelines mean?
“Amazon has clear guidelines for what it expects from used condition items,” Thompson and Holt’s Gedey continued. “Below is there expectations for each category - breaching these will lead to a risk of suspension from the side.
Used – Like New or Open Box:
The item is in perfect working condition with intact original packaging and in good condition with minor damage possible, with or without original protective wrapping. Instructions must be included.
Used – Very Good:
The item has been well-cared-for, has undergone limited use, and is still in good working condition. It may show limited signs of wear, i.e. small scratches or cosmetic errors. The original packaging may be damaged, or the item could be repackaged. Any missing accessories must be clearly defined for each item.
Used – Good:
The item is in good condition and is fully-functional but shows signs of wear from consistent use. It may arrive repackaged or with damaged packaging. It may have markings and minor cosmetic damage. It may be missing parts, accessories, or instructions.
Used – Acceptable:
The item is still functional but is fairly worn, and has been repackaged or is in damaged original packaging. Bears signs of wear such as scratches, dents, worn corners, or identifying markings. Parts, accessories, and instructions may be missing.
What can’t I sell as used?
“Amazon lists the following conditions as being unacceptable for sale on its platforms,” Gedey says. “As before, if you ignore this, you are risking being excluded from the site.”
The item is dirty with mould, heavy staining, corrosion, or other signs of uncleanliness
The item has damage that impacts the ability to use it
The item is missing parts or accessories that are essential to use it (excludes instructions)
The product needs repairs
The item is a copy, counterfeit, replica, or imitation of an original product
The item was created for promotional purposes, such as a product sample or advance reading copy
The item is expired or close to expiring, per its expiration date (including “best by” and “sell by” dates), or the expiration date has been altered or removed
The item was designated unsellable by its manufacturer
How to list used items for sale on Amazon
“The process is pretty much the exact same thing as listing a new item for sale,” Gedey explains. “The main difference is that you need to make sure you enter in the correct product condition, as outlined above. It’s also important to understand that when listing a used product on Amazon, you probably won’t be creating an entirely new listing for it - instead you’ll enter your product under an existing product listing, just in a ‘used’ condition. You cannot create a listing for your used product if the same product is already being sold on Amazon - even if the existing listing only offers the item in ‘new’ condition.”
What is Amazon Renewed? “Amazon runs a program called Amazon Renewed, where sellers can list pre-owned and refurbished items that have met the site’s criteria,” Thompson and Holt’s Gedey adds. “Not every seller will be eligible to sell on Amazon Renewed - the requirements means it has been created for high-level, experienced sellers, keeping standards on the site high. Below is the criteria Amazon is looking for to qualify for Amazon Renewed - they don’t want to become an online jumble sale.”
Amazon criteria: Supply invoices showing a minimum total value of $50,000 in qualifying refurbished purchases in the previous 90 days from the date of the application. You may black out the unit purchase amount on the invoices. Note that sellers intending to offer products related to Home, Tools, or Lawn & Garden, Kitchen may supply invoices showing a minimum total of $50,000 in qualifying refurbished purchases in the previous 180 days.
If you are an existing seller on Amazon, we require an ODR of 0.8% or less in the trailing 90 days.
If you want permission to list factory refurbished items (with no manufacturer warranty) you need to submit a minimum of 8 images of a sample unit for product and packaging review (box in which the product will ship, inside packaging and padding, product from top and bottom, product from all four sides).
Your company backs all of your refurbished products with the Amazon Renewed Guarantee and is responsible for all claims under the guarantee.
For approval to list the Apple brand in Consumer Electronics categories, we require invoices dated from trailing 90 days that total $2.5 million in Apple refurbished products.
Selling Apple products are probably the biggest issue we see at Thompson and Holt for items being sold as new leading to a suspension.
Worried about a Used Sold as New Amazon suspension?
If you have found yourself suspended while selling on Amazon, contact Thompson and Holt for a free LiveChat to get your Seller business back online as quickly as possible.
Thompson and Holt are also offering a free month’s trial of their Monitor and Protect service to help sellers prevent a suspension of ASINs or an their account during the COVID pandemic, more information on how to protect your Amazon seller account from a suspension can be found here.